Languages

Language is a very important part of the Bangladeshi national identity. Bangla, official language of the Bangladesh is spoken by the majority of the people. It was the ethno-linguistic identity evoked by the language that forged the call for independence from Pakistan during the Bengali nationalist movement. The Bengali Language Movement was a major political movement that advocated for the recognition of the Bangla as an official language In East Pakistan. In Bangladesh, 21 February is observed as Language Movement Day, a national holiday.
The primary language is Bangla, called Bengali by most nonnatives, an Indo-European language spoken not just by Bangladeshis, but also by people who are culturally Bengali. This includes about 300 million people from Bangladesh, West Bengal, and Bihar, as well as Bengali speakers in other Indian states. The language dates from well before the birth of Christ. Bangali varies by region, and people may not understand the language of a person from another district. However, differences in dialect consist primarily of slight differences in accent or pronunciation and minor grammatical usages.

Language differences mirror social and religious divisions. Bangla is divided into two fairly distinct forms: sadhu basha, learned or formal language, and cholit basha, common language.
To learn basic phrases in Bangla please click here.

The number of individual languages listed for Bangladesh is 40. All are living languages. Of these, 5 are institutional, 11 are developing, 16 are vigorous, and 8 are in trouble. For more information please click here http://www.ethnologue.com/country/BD

Photo Source: Ehtnologue.com

Bangla varies by region, and people may fully comprehend the language of a person from another district. However, differences in dialect consist primarily of slight differences in accent, pronunciation and minor grammatical usages. Sadhu basha is the language of formal essays and poetry, thus the well-educated. Cholit basha is the spoken vernacular; the language of the great majority of Bengalis. Cholit basha is the medium by which the great majority of people communicate in a country. There are also small usages variations between Muslims and Hindus, along with minor vocabulary differences.

While Bangla, is the official language of the country. There are various non-Indic vernaculars as well. Tibeto-Burman languages like Garo, Mizo, Chak, Megham, Mru, Tippera, and Usoi are spoken in the mountainous areas along the Northe, East, and Southern Bangladesh. More information please click here. http://www.ethnologue.com/country/BD/languages

A number of Austroasiatic languages are also spoken in Bangladesh by indigenous communities of inhabiting in north and east. These include: Khasi, Koda, Mundari, Pnar, Santali, War-Jaintia. In addition to these languages two Dravidian languages are also spoken: Kurukh, Sauria Paharia.